Stephens was contesting her first match of the 2022 season and looked rusty from the outset. The American committed a whopping 42 unforced errors and dropped serve six times over the course of the match.
Speaking at her post-match press conference, Stephens said she didn’t play too poorly but that Raducanu was simply better on the day.
The American remarked that Raducanu came out all guns blazing and perfectly executed her aggressive gameplan, which made it difficult for the American to settle into the match.
Stephens, who like Raducanu made a stunning run to the US Open title in 2017, was asked about the similarities between her and the Brit’s situations. The 28-year-old was quick to point out that the Brit was carrying the hopes of an entire country, unlike herself.
“I think this is only the beginning” - Sloane Stephens on Emma Raducanu’s future
Sloane Stephens was also asked how she felt Emma Raducanu was dealing with the pressure and hype around her following her US Open win. The American pointed out that the Brit was the much higher-ranked player of the two, and that match simply played out as per the book.
Stephens added that this was just the beginning of a long road for the Brit and that she would learn a lot from the ups and downs and “crazy experiences” she gets to face in her career.
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